History & Governance

Proudly supporting those who care for South Australian children, youth and their families.
A child smiling at the camera

Our Board

Morialta Nominees Pty Ltd, as Trustee for The Morialta Charitable Trust, is led by a team of highly experienced volunteer Directors who each bring specialist expertise and contribute to Morialta Charitable Trust’s main activities through appropriately skilled committees:

The Investment Committee
Manages an investment corpus, from which our annual grants program is funded.

The Grants Committee
Manages the annuals grant application, review, assessment, and acquittal process for approximately $500,000 in annual grant distributions.

The Marketing and Fundraising Committee
Provides the Board with strategic advice about raising Morialta Charitable Trust’s profile with potential grant applicants, corporate partners and financial supporters.

Jon Gerschwitz

Jon Gerschwitz
Chairperson

Jon is an experienced Chartered Accountant with people, financial, governance and strategic management expertise in a wide range of industries. By drawing on his broad skillset, Jon provides guidance to add value to all types of business.

“I have a long held passion for community involvement and contribution to improving other’s lives including through not for profit organisations.”

Angelo Russo

Angelo Russo
Deputy Chairperson

Angelo has over 20-years’ experience working across varied industries including health insurance, defence, energy, manufacturing and government throughout Australia and the UK. He is a Certified Practicing Marketer (MAMI), GAICD, Board Member of SA Museum Trust and an active business mentor and consultant to various start-ups.

"I'm proud to be part of the team at The Morialta Charitable Trust which shares a committed and genuine interest in delivering lasting change to young South Australians in need."

Ian cambell

Ian Campbell
 

Ian is a Fellow of the CPA and Fellow of the AICD, with extensive finance and investment experience in the banking, funds management and IT sectors. He is currently a Director of the Royal Society for the Blind Inc and Aish Solutions Pty Ltd, having previously held finance; audit and risk; and corporate governance Board committees roles for KeyInvest.

"I am committed to adding value to The Morialta Charitable Trust’s work to look after disadvantaged children in SA through the programs we fund."

David Maywald

David Maywald

David is an experienced investor, financial services executive and governance specialist. He is a Fellow of the Governance Institute for Australia, member of the AICD, and Chartered Financial Analyst. He holds a broad portfolio of board roles across health, education, community support, infrastructure, investment, renewables, and sustainability.

"I am passionate about improving the opportunities for local children and young people."

The Morialta Charitable Trust logo seal, reading "Helping young South Australians since 1980."

Andrew Johnson

Andrew is an experienced senior executive and Board member, with a strong focus on risk, governance and finance. He is a Fellow of CPA Australia, a Graduate of AICD and holds a PhD in economics.

“I am passionate about improving community outcomes and Morialta Charitable Trust has enable me to continue this work.”

Geoff Payne

Geoff Payne

Geoff has extensive governance and leadership experience in the not for profit sector. He takes an active day to day role in supporting the vision and mission of organisations he works with to help achieve positive outcomes.

"The Morialta Charitable Trust has the flexibility to engage with organisations of different sizes and to support innovative and interesting projects. Our practise of building relationships with grant recipients sets us apart."

Lisa Redmon

Lisa Redmon

Lisa is an experienced Financial Adviser with an extensive background in economics, investments and behavioural finance. She takes great joy in being a part of her client's financial journey's as they work together through all the ups and downs that life has to offer. With members of her family managing life with a physical disability, the value and importance of not-for-profits organisations is close to her heart.

"I'm grateful to be member of the board and investment committee at Morialta Charitable Trust. It is heart-warming to work alongside other compassionate individuals who are all committed to improving the lives of young South Australians"

The Morialta Charitable Trust logo seal, reading "Helping young South Australians since 1980."

David Stewart

David has expertise and interest in a variety of areas including Technology, Financial Markets, Business Management and the Not-for-Profit sector. He has extensive investment management experience and is currently the Chair of the Investment Committee.

“My desire is to help Morialta play a part in bringing hope and a positive future to young people in need.”

Historical image

Our History

The Morialta Charitable Trust was established in 1980 with a history that dates back to 1913.

1913

Investigation into purchasing a suitable property to house Protestant orphans in South Australia following concerns of a shortage in suitable accommodation. Progress was stalled during the Great War.

1923

Draft laws and constitution for the ‘Federated Protestant Children’s Homes of South Australia’ were approved. It was reported at the time:

‘…the Constitution provides that the homes shall be under the direction and control of a governing body, consisting of three representatives from each of the following organisations: the Presbyterian; Baptist and Congregational Churches; The Churches of Christ; the Loyal Orange Institution of South Australia; and the South Australian Protestant Federation.’

1924

The Morialta Estate at Norton Summit was purchased. It comprised a house of huge dimensions along with outbuildings on 100 acres of land. This Estate was originally owned by John Richard Baker, son of Sir Richard Baker who was a barrister, pastoralist and foundation President of the Australian Senate. The Children’s Home was opened with eight children in residence. Over the next 50 years it was home to over 2500 children.

1925

The Federated Protestant Children’s Home was incorporated. The Board of Management set a purpose to

‘To make a real home for the children, where they could be really and truly happy. The ambitions, plans and work of the associated organisations are to provide these children with a decent chance in life, to give them all the benefits and blessings of a good Protestant home, to take them from various stages of destitution, attend their proper upbringing, their education, their physical and moral welfare, and to start them out in life with every opportunity of making good.’ (Robert Finster; Report to the Presbyterian Church General Assembly of SA 2013)

1972

A second home was purchased in Toorak Gardens to accommodate senior secondary students, at around the time that the South Australian Government started advocating for smaller cottage home accommodation for children in need. The name was changed to ‘Morialta Children’s Homes Inc.

1975

Accommodation at the Morialta Children’s Homes ceased and the properties at Norton Summit (Morialta Children’s Home) and Toorak Gardens (Toorak Boys Hostel) were sold.

1976

Morialta Trust Inc. (MTI) came into operation to manage the funds from the sale of the two properties. In 2021 MTI joined the National Redress Scheme.

1980

The Morialta Charitable Trust Fund, a registered Public Ancillary Fund, is established by its settlor, Morialta Trust Inc. Morialta Nominees Pty Ltd is trustee for The Morialta Charitable Trust Fund, and is responsible for protecting and growing the fund for the benefit of future generations of children and young people.

Two young people sitting on the ground against a wall, both smiling at the camera.
A closeup of a lavender plant with a person seated in the background.
The Morialta Charitable Trust logo seal, reading "Helping young South Australians since 1980."

Your donation will contribute to achieving our vision for communities where all young South Australians reach their full potential